Citation

Butler M. Br. J. Criminol. 2008; 48(6): 856-873.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/bjc/azn053

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article examines the occurrence of fights, assaults, arguments and threats of violence between adult male prisoners in an English category C prison. The self-narratives of 40 men are analysed to investigate whether some prisoners engage in more confrontations than others due to a psychological need to protect their identity. The findings indicate that how an individual understands and constructs their self-narrative can influence their involvement in aggressive behaviour. Implications for interventions attempting to reduce aggression are explored.